He mentioned the rallies had been unauthorised, which “bears particular consequence in any nation of the world”, and famous that no tear gasoline or water cannons have been used.

Individually, the household of senior opposition determine, Mikalay Statkevich, have mentioned they’re involved for his welfare as a result of he has not been heard from since 24 March. An opposition web site quoted the safety providers as denying information of his whereabouts.

Mr Statkevich had been anticipated to guide Saturday’s protests.

Media captionThe BBC filmed the beatings as protesters have been arrested

The authorities are reported to have jailed greater than 100 opposition supporters for phrases of between three and 15 days within the lead-up to Saturday’s demonstration.

The weekend’s occasions observe weeks of sporadic protests towards a $230 (£185) levy on these unemployed for six months, dubbed a “social parasites” tax.

President Alexander Lukashenko insists the tax is not going to be scrapped and says it instils self-discipline within the workshy.

Nonetheless, he has suspended it for this 12 months. Opponents say it punishes those that can’t discover a job.